The Science of Pumpkins

With fall in full swing, pumpkins make a great subject for science exploration and discovery! So roll up your sleeves and prepare to get a little messy with these excellent pumpkin activities!

Fruit v. Vegetable

Review the characteristics that classify produce as fruits or vegetables. The main point to stress is that, scientifically, if it has seeds, it should be classified as a fruit. Divide students into small groups and provide them with a pumpkin (top pre-cut) and metal spoons. Invite them to determine whether a pumpkin is a fruit or vegetable.

Make Predictions

Discuss with your students what it means to make a prediction. Complete the following exercises:

• Before class, cut a piece of yarn or string. Have students discuss and vote on whether they think the string will be long enough to fit around the entire outside of the pumpkin (it's circumference) or not.
• Fill a large bin with water. Have students vote on whether they think the pumpkin will float or sink.
• After students have discovered that a pumpkin does have seeds and is indeed a fruit, invite them to estimate how many seeds the pumpkin contains.

Measuring

• As an extension of the above prediction exercise, have students measure the pumpkin's circumference using a piece of string and ruler.
• Use a scale to weigh the pumpkin before and after the seeds have been removed to find the weight of the seeds/goop.
• Another extension to the above prediction exercises is to have your students count the seeds. Since there are usually a lot of seeds, have them group seeds into piles of fives or tens to help with increment or interval counting.

For great vocabulary ideas, crafts, books, and sequencing ideas, be sure to read the full post at Science Discovery!

Learn about pumpkins in a Science Curriculum for Preschool and Kindergarten with 75 free complete lesson plans online